Common Buckthorn - Tree Canada

brought to North America in the late 1800’s for landscape planting
most abundant in southern Ontario but also occurs west to Saskatchewan and east to Prince Edward Island
still available from nurseries

large shrub or small tree (up to 6 m or 20 ft tall) with thorny twigs and strongly-veined leaves that remain on the plant late in the fall
male and female flowers on separate individuals
female tree produces large numbers of dark berry-like fruits, singly or in small groups, along younger branches at the base of the oval-shaped leaves
leaves have serrated edges unlike Glossy Buckthorn whose leaves have smooth edges
leaves come out early in spring and remain on the plant until late fall which shades out most native plants
fruits, leaves, and bark are cathartic (purging) to most animals but birds eat them readily
birds are largely responsible for the spread of Common Buckthorn since the seeds within the fruit pass through the bird without damage
seeds remain viable for up to three years and have a high germination rate
tolerates a wide range of upland habitats including forests and woodland edges

cutting or girdling stems followed by herbicide application to the cut stems or later removal of sprouts that develop after cutting or girdling
grows later in the season than most native plants so fall application of herbicide can be effective with little impact on nearby native species
annual or biennial burns
mowing younger stands
several years of control are needed since seeds are unaffected by the above methods and seedlings can quickly recolonize an area

Tree Killers: Common Buckthorn